The South Georgia State College Hawks could not overcome a strong shooting performance from Monroe College Monday morning, falling to the Mustangs 83-63 in the first round of the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Carlos Hart led the Hawks (26-8) with 17 points and seven rebounds. Keith Lamar was the only other SGSC player to score in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds.
The differences in Monday’s first round game were from the field and at the free throw line. SGSC was held to only 36.5 percent shooting, while Monroe College shot 46.8 percent. The Hawks’s free throw shooting remained solid (9-of-12; 75 percent), but the Mustangs took advantage of more trips to the line (15-of-18; 83.3 percent).
The Hawks began the season 5-3 before winning 21 of their final 26 games, including their second GCAA Tournament Championship in three years. Carlos Hart was named GCAA Player of the Year, GCAA Tournament MVP, and was a first team All-Region selection. Zae Wiggins was an All-Region second team selection. Justin Edmondson was named to the GCAA’s All-Defensive Team.
The Hawks will have a chance to defend their tournament championship when the new season tips off in November.